And a fan base that still wonders if Jackson is the guy to lead their team back to NBA glory, will still be wondering after Jackson missed what would have been a winning three-pointer in the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, allowing the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed to complete the four-game sweep before an energetic sell-out crowd at the Palace.

Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 31 points and LeBron James had 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, as the Cavs' quest for an NBA title will continue into the second round.

Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris combined for 47 points. Andre Drummond had 17 points and 11 rebounds. He was 5-for-10 from the free-throw line, but still sat the final 6 minutes.

But after a regular season where Jackson led the league in clutch fourth-quarter scoring, he mostly struggled down the stretch in the Pistons' three close losses in the series.

"Everybody's entitled to have an opinion," Jackson said after making only 2 of 6 shots in the fourth quarter. "I listen to those who are important. I listen to those who love me for me and want the best for the team and who can also do something about the team going forward. Other than that, it's just noise."

The Pistons didn’t go quietly into the off-season.

The Cavs took a nine-point lead on a J.R. Smith three-pointer as the shot-clock went off with 4:51 remaining.

But the Pistons were able to mount a rally behind the three-forward front line of Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson, as Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy was desperately trying to push buttons to help extend the series to Game 5 on Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had a good series, knocked down a three-pointer with 1:08 remaining to cut the Pistons' deficit to one.

Kyrie Irving’s three-pointer with 42.6 seconds left gave the Cavs a 100-96 lead, but Reggie Jackson’s dunk cut the lead to two just 10 seconds later.

And the Pistons forced an Irving miss, Jackson dribbled into the front-court, where he was hounded by Irving.

After minor contact with Irving, Jackson launched a shot that barely drew iron. And the Pistons' first playoff appearance since 2009 came to an abrupt end.

Jackson complained to officials to no avail and it was obvious afterward he felt he was fouled on the final play.

CLOSE

As a trio, Cleveland's LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love addressed the media after the Pistons' Game 4 loss Sunday at the Palace. Video by Perry A. Farrell/DFP

"I just think the refs need to have some type of system in mind for necessarily about fines, suspensions, being fired, the same thing that happens to us," Jackson said. "Make bad plays, questionable, you're really productive to the sport. I think they should have consequences like the players."

Jackson finished with 13 points, 12 assists, but five turnovers.

Harris had 23 points and 13 rebounds; Morris scored 24.

The Pistons can now start planning for the off-season. Two glaring needs are apparent -- a big man that can stretch the floor and a backup point guard.

They will have roughly $16.5-$17.5 million in cap space and they will have a first-round draft pick. With one of the youngest core of players in the league, there is hope that the players can make significant jumps in skill.

But there were smiles in the Pistons locker room afterward. Owner Tom Gores came in and personally thanked the players for their efforts in ending the longest streak of missing the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Pistons forward Tobias Harris drives against Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons center Andre Drummond reacts after scoring during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson drives against Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson reacts after missing a three-pointer at the end of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scores against Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson scores against Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons center Andre Drummond defends against Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons center Andre Drummond rebounds against Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons forward Tobias Harris passes against Cavaliers Kevin Love during third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy calls a play during the fourth periodof the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson defends against Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson defends against Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons guard Reggie Jackson defends against Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving during the fourth period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons center Andre Drummond misses a free throw during the third period of the Pistons' 100-98 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday at the Palace. Kirthmon F. Dozier DFP

Pistons forward Stanley Johnson shoots against Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova during the second quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Kirthmon F. Dozier, DFP

And Van Gundy admitted that although he is tough on his players, he is proud of how they fought all season and hung in against the skilled Cavaliers.

"It was a pretty competitive series for a sweep," Van Gundy said. "We said this would be a great experience for our guys. It has been, as really the last five or six weeks of the regular season fighting to get in.

"We've played a lot of pressure basketball games. I do think we have to get better."

Harris’ strong offensive fourth quarter in Game 3 carried over.

After Morris got the Pistons off to a good start with two early three-pointers to help forge a 10-2 lead, Harris went to work. He scored on two driving layups and his three-pointer at the 2:50 mark gave the Pistons a 20-17 lead.

And his corner three at the 1:12 mark completed a 10-point first quarter.

Harris corralled his sixth rebound just before the end of the first quarter, as the Pistons took a 28-25 lead into the second quarter.

Morris scored 12 points in the second quarter, but the James completed a 16-point first half with 11 points in the quarter. He added four rebounds and two assists to give the Cavs a 53-52 lead at halftime.

Irving detonated with 10 points in the first 4 minutes of the second half and the Cavs pushed their lead to 67-56.

The Pistons battled back and tied the game at 78 on a Harris driving layup with 3 seconds left in the third quarter.

But Irving nailed a half-court shot at the quarter buzzer to send the Cavs into the fourth quarter with an 81-78 lead.